Three Star Heritage Pubs
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Gloucestershire, RED LION, Ampney St Peter. We bring you the fantastic news that the Red Lion has reopened. This classic rural time warp has been closed since the death of landlord John Barnard back in 2014 - and has been under serious threat ever since, surviving two applications for change of use. We reported in March last year the welcome, but rather unexpected news that an application for a new licence had been made. Currently it’s open in the evenings from Thursday to Saturday, 5.30-10.30pm. The new licensee, Basia Kondratowicz, is getting to grips with running it and is concerned about hordes of customers descending. So if you do visit, please be patient, and best to avoid going in large groups for time being. Reports indicate that thankfully no changes have been made to its precious interior. Thanks to Rob Tough and Patrick Mills from Gloucestershire CAMRA for this wonderful news.
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Greater London East, DOLPHIN, Hackney. Good news that the Dolphin has reopened after being shut for two years. It closed after its licence was suspended in 2021. It was well known as a party pub and previously opened until 4am on the weekend. The hours are now restricted to 12.30am. Will Johnson visited and reports that the interior seems unchanged, but disappointingly still no real ale on offer. See:
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East Yorkshire, STATION BUFFET, Bridlington. We reported in March this year on the application to refurbish this very rare establishment. Following concerns about the size of two intrusive new openings into the former First Class Refreshment Room, raised by both the local conservation officer and ourselves, a revised application has been submitted by Brass Castle Brewery. Whilst the proposed width of the openings has been reduced somewhat, it is not as much as had been hoped for, and our suggestion of installing actual doors, to better conserve the historic integrity of the old room, has not been taken up. Dave Gamston has formally commented on the revised application for Pub Heritage Group, commending the quality and intent of the overall scheme whilst voicing these continued concerns. We are hopeful a resolution can be reached quickly, and this precious survival, which has now been closed since 2019, will reopen soon.
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Greater London West, FORESTER, West Ealing. The Forester, built in 1909 and one of the finest Edwardian pubs in England, designed by T.H. Nowell Parr (who was also responsible for the Angel, Hayes), closed on 18th June. The pub is owned by Fullers and, whilst previously tenanted, the plan is now to reopen it as a Fuller’s managed house.
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Very good to see a number of our Three Star Heritage Pubs recognised in the CAMRA branch awards this year:
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Riviera Centre, Torquay
11-13 April 2025
One of the most prestigious beer competitions in the world.
Units 3-5, Heathfield Industrial Estate, Heathfield Street, Elland, HX5 9AE
Westgate Brewery, Westgate Street, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1QT
Three Star Heritage Pubs
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Very good to see a number of our Three Star Heritage Pubs recognised in the CAMRA branch awards this year:
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Cheshire, CASTLE, Macclesfield. Congratulations to the Castle for being awarded CAMRA’s Cheshire pub of the year. A remarkable turnaround for a pub that only reopened in 2021 following a six year closure. The Castle was also awarded the CAMRA/Historic England Conservation Award in 2022. Thanks to Gary Chester for this news.
North West Wales, ALBION ALE HOUSE, Conwy. Congratulations to all at the Albion Ale house for being awarded Pub of the Year by Abercolwyn CAMRA. The Albion, built in 1921, was awarded the CAMRA/Historic England Conservation Award in 2013. And having been saved by a consortium of four local breweries, it remains an essential destination for real ale lovers. See: 
Tayside, SPEEDWELL BAR, Dundee. And also to the Speedwell Bar for being awarded the Tayside CAMRA Pub of the Year. The Speedwell Bar, known as ‘Mennies’ after the family that ran it from the 1920s until 1995, was built in 1903 and has a wonderful Edwardian interior, and obviously good real ale too! Thanks to Jim McMahon for this.
Bedfordshire, COCK, Broom. And last, but by no means least, congratulations to all at the Cock for being awarded East Bedfordshire CAMRA’s Rural Pub of the Year for the second year running. The Cock is one of only 7 traditional pubs in the country that does not have a bar counter.
South Yorkshire, WHITE LION, Sheffield. We reported in the April bulletin that the White Lion was closed for a refurbishment. It has now reopened. Paul Ainsworth and Dave Pickersgill from the Pub Heritage Group visited this month and met licensee Dan Price. Paul reports that the refurbishment has been very respectful of the historic interior and that the pub is clearly in good hands. See: 
Hampshire, JUNCTION, Southampton. The Junction, a Victorian pub built in 1876, has closed. Owned by Greene King, the freehold was listed with Savills late last year and is now shown as being under offer: 
Gloucestershire, OLDE BLACK BEAR, Tewkesbury. Good news that the Olde Black Bear has reopened after being closed for a refurbishment/ restoration project that has taken six years to complete (although the first three of those appear to have been spent in the planning process!). Reputed to be the oldest inn in Gloucestershire, dating back to 1308, it consists primarily of a 16th Century timber framed building, and is now owned by furniture maker Luke Haines. Typical of many ancient pubs it has many historic features but the pub interior has been altered and opened up over the years. Of particular interest is the decorative 16th Century leather ceiling in the public bar, which has been restored. For more see: 
Borders, CROOK INN, Tweedsmuir. Mick Slaughter reports that The Wee Crook Café is opening over the summer, in a separate building from the Crook Inn itself. There is no news on the reopening of the pub, closed since 2006, and previously included on the National Inventory for its 1930s interior. The pub building has been saved from development due a long running community campaign - for more information on the project see: